Head of School's Letter

Welcome to the Head of School's Letter

Joanna DeStefanis

I believe that communication is vital to the success of every organization. ASM is no exception! I write to our families frequently to inform them on a variety of topics that I consider important. These letters will give you a glimpse of who we are as a school community, what I value as a school leader, and the direction in which ASM is headed.

December 13, 2018

The winter solstice will soon be upon us. The hustle and bustle of the holidays brings a special type of energy which helps me to endure the shorter days and colder temperatures. As our Winter Break approaches, most of us are planning activities and gatherings with family and friends. As you make your plans, I […]

December 6, 2018

‘Tis the season of giving and you will see in this week’s TIP that there are many opportunities to do just that! ASM’s service projects benefit those in need whether they are the recipient of a food basket, a warm coat or a blood transfusion. Our community exemplifies the spirit of giving in so many […]

November 16, 2018

Parent and teacher conferences are right around the corner! Conferences are a time for you to learn about your child’s progress and are an essential component of your child’s education. Come to the conference prepared to listen to what the teachers observe in school. They will speak to your child’s strengths and areas that need […]

November 16, 2018

I think we all know that exercise is an important component in keeping our bodies healthy! In addition to improving our physical health, exercise also improves our cognition, or the ability to acquire knowledge. In his book Brain Rules, (2008) John Medina says “To improve your thinking skills, move.” Medina is a molecular biologist with a […]

November 1, 2018

Safety is my top priority for our school community. Each school year begins with a series of safety classes for faculty and staff. We receive training in CPR, first aid and Epi-pen® administration; this year we added “Stop the Bleed Save a Life“. ASM develops comprehensive safety plans for our community with input from the […]

October 25, 2018

Dear Families, Luckily, the rain held off for us yesterday as ASM celebrated United Nations Day, a long- standing tradition at our school. Dr. Montessori wrote, lectured and trained teachers world-wide on the importance of peace education and the impact that children could have in achieving world peace. Efforts to advance the rights of children […]

October 18, 2018

Although ASM’s yearly Science Fair is nearly four months from now, students will begin the initial stages of preparation for this long-term project in just a few weeks. While science projects take on many forms, all students conduct research and gain experience applying the scientific method through a project-based model. They learn to organize, analyze […]

October 11, 2018

At ASM, we provide an environment which facilitates exploration and creativity among our students. Our interdisciplinary STEM curriculum engages students in math, science and the engineering design process while purposefully incorporating technology. STEM expertise, in combination with the arts and humanities, will empower our students to examine and confront generational challenges. Four years ago, ASM was […]

October 4, 2018

Experiential learning provides meaningful opportunities for ASM students to make connections and reflect upon their experiences beyond the classroom. Our middle school students spent the third week of school at Red Gate Farm in Ashfield, Massachusetts. They participated in many aspects of farm work including caring for the land and gardens, tending to the barn […]

September 27, 2018

When parents are asked what they wish most for their children, the answer is often happiness. What can you do to help your child discover his or her best self? How can you help your child to be peaceful in their environment? How do you effectively handle your child when he or she is out-of-sorts […]

Andover School of Montessori does not discriminate in admission, financial aid, or administration of its educational policies and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religious affiliation, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or status as a qualified handicapped individual.